A History of Street and Street Library Part 2

A History of Street and Street Library part 2

(Interesting short pieces about the library and life in Street – by Angela Southern)

Alice Clark was a woman of many talents. Here is a discussion of her book ‘The Working Life of Women in the 17th Century’

TRANSCRIPT OF A BROADCAST ON WOMAN’S HOUR – BBC RADIO 4 – 1998

Presenter – Jenni Murray (JM) Historian – Amy Ericson (AE)

JM – Now Alice Clark was born in 1874 into the famous footwear manufacturing family, but her fame was not to come from making shoes; she wrote a ground-breaking history book called ‘The Working Life of Women in the 17th Century’, which is still in use today. In the next in our series of women historians Maria Burgess spoke to Amy Ericson about one of Somerset’s most famous daughters. As a young woman there was nothing to suggest what she would later achieve.

AE – She had one sister who became a teacher and one sister who became a doctor, but Alice herself did a housewifery course then she went into the family firm. She started at the bottom and learned the basic skills and then worked her way up, although obviously with the help that she was the owner’s daughter, up to the top levels of management and she worked in the family firm for a long time. But she didn’t actually go into history until she was 38.

JM – So why, this woman who was a director of the family firm, very much immersed in commerce, why did she suddenly take this time out to write a scholarly book?

AE – She won Mrs Bernard Shaw’s scholarship to the LSE and she wanted to study 17th century women. It was a 2-year scholarship, this was interrupted by the war, she had meant to go and join her sister in France who was working as a doctor at a Quaker Hospital but her health prevented it, so instead she stayed in London, she continued to study 17th century women, much to our benefit, and then she finally finished the book.

JANET MAW (Reader) (JM) – From ‘The Working Life of Women n the 17th Century’, Alice Clark 1919. The effect of the Industrial Revolution on home life and through that upon development and characters of women and upon their productive capacity deeply concerns the sociologist, for the increased productive capacity of mankind may be dearly bought by the disintegration of social organisation and a lowering of women’s capacity for motherhood. The succeeding chapters will show how the spread of capitalism affected the productive capacity of women.

AE – She was very interested in all sorts of advancement by women, in improving their condition in the family firm in Street, in Somerset and also in London where she worked on the National Union of Suffrage Societies, she worked on the executive committee. There were other historians on that committee as well, professional historians. And she was very much concerned with improving the lot of working women in all aspects. This is a period when the historical relevance is becoming very important for a lot of people as to how the working class became impoverished, and how the women of the working class might pull themselves up.

JM – But Alice Clark wasn’t doing economics of the present time, she was looking back to the 17th century, and what were her conclusions?

AE – She, like many other people at the time, saw a progression from a small domestic unit in the middle ages, self-sufficient with an equal contribution of husband and wife – mutual respect prevailed. In the 17th century she sees a situation where there’s more work for wages but most production is still within the home. Waged work can be outwork so it’s still done in the home and it’s still women who are still visibly contributing to the household economy. In the 18th and 19th centuries by contrast, industrialisation, capitalisation, waged work takes place in factories – it’s done principally by men and then later by women as well, but women’s work in the home becomes devalued, and this has very serious moral as well as economic implications for the family and for the society, And it’s this concern with the present as well as the past that informs her work.

JM – the investigation was undertaken with a view to discovering the actual circumstances of women’s lives in the 17th century. The theories with which I began this work have been abandoned and have been replaced by others. If these theories should in turn have to be discarded when a deeper understanding of history becomes possible, yet the picture of human life presented in the following pages will not entirely lose its value.

AE – ‘The Working Life of Women in the 17th Century’ is still used today because it’s the only book-length study of this subject – still. On the other hand there are problems with the work – her original research was based entirely on printed records and many of them were 19th century printings of original documents. History has moved on and we now use original documents a lot more; there are many studies now of original documents but none of them gives the broad sweep that Alice Clark was able to give in the early part of the (20th) century.

People are now much more hesitant about saying there was a grand transition in these three phases over a single century. It’s terribly useful as an introduction to what happens in the early modern period generally.

JM – How is her booked viewed now? Here was somebody who came in, not an academic, and wrote this book which is still used today.

AE – Historians now think that there are many modifications that have to be made to her original thesis; one of Alice’s favourite saying was ‘Those who don’t make mistakes don’t make anything’. So I think she would have been very pleased and willing to have made mistakes in her book in order to have made something, and she made a tremendous contribution.

JM – What happened to Alice Clark after she wrote this book. What did she do then?

AE – At that point, and after suffrage had been achieved she returned to the family factory in Street, and she spent the next 12 years or so as one of four directors of the Clark’s shoe factory, she never wrote any more history ,,,,,,,, Her only contribution to history is this book.

JM _ Alice Clark identified the problems of work versus home nearly 100 years ago and still they continue.

PREFACE

It is because I love the place of my birth that I venture to put into print the following facts, connecting as they do the recent with the past. No attempt has been made at a literary production. It has been a long cherished desire, that before I go the way of all flesh, I should impart as best I could the knowledge essential to the reading of the memoranda and signatures of those who have gone before, traces of which are still left to speak to the intelligent.

W PURSEY Brooks Street Somerset December, 1909 REMINISCENCES OF LIFE IN STREET

Somersetshire from the year 1844. By An Old Inhabitant

The Year 1844 stands strangely contrasted with that of 1909 – in that year the stage coach was constantly running from Exeter to London, many and varied were the incidents, common in the experience of travellers under the conditions then existing. The Piper’s Inn at Ashcott and Street Inn were the halting places where the horses were changed or rested, and passengers taken up at will and convenience, while at West End, Street (where Mrs R Barnes, widow of the late K Barnes now resides), there was a halt made as occasion necessitated, and horses and drivers were regaled, the proprietor, Mr Simeon Mogg, instructing the groom, W Giles, with the assistance of a lad, Thomas West, to give all attention and labour necessary. Here it will be well to reflect upon the conditions of the roads and the route taken. The roads then were far from what they are today as regards their condition – no steam rollers in these primitive times went before the traveller, levelling and making plain and easy the mode of transit – again the route was anything but a pleasant and easy one; the reader who has from time to time travelled over Wearyall Hill will know, or can easily form an idea of the difficulty of drawing the coach laden with passengers and luggage up and over the circuitous route, which thanks to those who constructed the new road is now discarded except for business and farm purposes.

The coach commonly known in those days as the prisoners’ coach, was anxiously awaited, especially when prisoners known to the inhabitants were expected to pass; the distance traversed was from Wells to Taunton, and from Taunton to Wells. Hanging then was frequent for various offences, this formerly took place at Ilchester, but eventually was transferred to Taunton, and many are the incidents which might be recollected of prisoners and prison life at this time. The first man hung at Taunton was a man of Weston-Super-Mare, the second case was that of a woman from Shapwick for poisoning her family; and strange indeed were the desires of the said prisoner; as she neared the hour of execution, after eating a good breakfast, she requested that she might be hanged in her black silk dress which was granted.

Another feature of this early condition of life was the carrier, who regularly and systematically travelled to and from different towns, calling and leaving or taking goods, as the case may be, Bristol, Bridgwater, Bath and many other places, were constantly touched and business transacted in a way worthy of note under conditions which thanks to the steam engine are a thing of the past. The carrier known and respected at that time by the inhabitants of Street, for his integrity and his stalwart manliness, was Mr William Edwards, who then occupied and owned the capacious premises situate opposite Street Inn, and now in the occupation of Mr Peddle, confectioner. Such was the magnitude of his business that at least 100 horses were in use, together with a staff of men whose services were constant and strenuous, for such a number of animals for whom provision had yearly to be made. The services of Mr John Petvin were in constant request as clerk to check and keep in order the whole of this extensive business.

At this time another carrier travelled from Crewkerne to Bristol, touching the parish of Street weekly in his route, The memorable characteristics of this carrier were the snail’s pace at which he travelled, the big van with which he did his business and the four horses upon which he appeared to set much value, never for a moment driving them faster than they chose to travel.

The convenient and easy arrangement of postal service of today is the very opposite of that existing at the time of which I write. Instead of the mail cart which now travels from Glastonbury to Bridgwater, all letters were then conveyed on horse back, the rider fixing himself in the saddle, with bags thrown across his shoulders, one hanging in the front, the other behind, travelling morning and night from Shepton Mallet to Shapwick. This was the task assigned to William Hiscox, who employed and delegated this duty to Saul Smith, who journeyed thus on a blind horse. The Street postmaster at this early time was George White, whose residence was near Street Cross, the letterbox of the post office being easy of access to all requiring its use.

Reminiscences of Life in the Parish of Street - Farming

The most potent factor in the life of the village at the time of which I write was the farming interest, and as I review the past, remembering the business-like manner in which all farming business was conducted, and the number of hands then employed on the farms, the past like a panoramic view passes before the mind, and its incidents and facts appear as a thing of but yesterday – the farmers, their farms, their traits of character, the lands they held, and the like I remember distinctly. As I review the past, how many names have died out, and but for the retentive power of memory would never be heard of by the rising generation. The following are the names of prominent men then holding positions, and renting farms, some of which are known to us to-day; the late Mr Cooper Miller, who late in life lived in High Street where he died, formerly occupied Ivythorne Farm; the farm whose centre at that time appeared to be East Lane was farmed by Mr George Gristock; Mr George Rood, the father of the late Mr John Rood of Towns End, then occupied premises where Mr F W Voake’s butcher’s shop now stands. The premises at the top of Vestry Lane where Mr G Burt lives were then the home of farmer Thomas Gould; this is a family stock cut off and the name lost to the place. The site now occupied by the drapery establishment of Mr Coole, opposite the Crispin Hall, was the spot upon which stood the farmhouse of farmer William Welshman.

At this early date of our parish life, it was no unusual thing for the stables to be erected close to the highway, and adjoining the pavement, as in the case of the above. Farmer Joseph White (another name lost to the place) then lived where the stables of Mr Francis Joseph Clark now stand, the farm premises being demolished as necessity demanded in the advancement of our village life. The late Mr Thos. Rood of Stone Hill, lived and farmed the premises now occupied by Mr Tincknell, baker; old Ivythorne Farm was the residence of Farmer Thomas White; Brook Farm, now occupied and farmed by Mr Chedley, was then the home of Farmer Higgins, who eventually left it and went to live in premises opposite the premises of Mr Tincknell, baker. Here a quantity of cider was made during the apple season. Farmer John Clothier and his son James occupied and owned the farm opposite the tanyard premises still held by their descendants. Mr Joseph Clark, corn dealer and farmer, then lived at the top of Lover’s Walk (so-called from early date) where Mr Joseph Clark now resides. Street Farm, as it was then called, where the egg depot is located, was occupied by Mr John Hains.

Sharpham Park Farm (of Fielding repute) was then in the possession of Messrs Arthur and Alfred Gregory. This farm at that time was the centre and seat of farming activity, such probably has not been seen on the premises since; the number of hands employed from year’s end to year’s end consisted of nearly twenty men and seven boys, and never probably in the history of the farm were duties more consistently discharged in relation both to employee and farm interest, than under these gentlemen. In evidence of this fact, farm hands who worked there prior to the said Messrs Gregory having taken possession of the farm, continued their services, among whom was Robert Wall, who obtained for his 40 years long and faithful services the prizes given at the Glastonbury Show Market. The first prize he obtained was the sum of £2, he having taken second place in the scale of merit, the second time he was awarded the first prize of £3. The competition for these prizes was at times very keen; but for many years this has been a thing of the past. Farmer Robert White, well known in the district, lived in premises occupied for many years by the late James Hooper; on this site now stands the warehouse of Messrs G and J Adams. Truly it may be said while God made the country; man makes the town, gradual and imperceptible as it may and does appear to the rising generation.

The premises occupied by Mr Roger Clark were then the habitation of Farmer George White, whose life terminated by the old turnpike gate.

Lovers Walk we now know as Leigh Road.

Joseph Clark was the father of Cyrus and James Clark and his home, built in 1807, we know as Hindhayes

Another important business which gave employment to a great number of hands in the early life of the village was the stone trade, the beds of blue lias stone which formerly covered so vast an area (evidence of which is found in orchards covering so much ground), were constantly worked.

Among those occupying prominent positions in this business, the following may be named; the quarry near Marshall’s Elm, where Mr W Reynolds resides, was then held and worked by Mr W Eades, he it was who built the first house, which was burnt down, but occupied the site upon which the present building now stands; here a few hands found employment. Close by was the quarry worked by Mr Zachariah Seymour, here also a greater number of men found employment, probably more constant than at other quarries. In the lane at the hill leading from Mr Seymour’s quarry was another small stone business, this was the possession of Mr Thos. Tinney, and employed a few men only. The land near the Tower House built by the late Mr Joseph Seymour, now known as the Plum Orchard, was then the quarry of Mr John Underwood.

W illiam Reynolds House:

"The building now known as William Reynolds House (formerly Bowling Green Mill) is the surviving part of a much larger complex of buildings. This factory started about 1836 for sheepskin tanning powered by water from the nearby watercourse. In 1877 the factory was adapted to produce leather board (Avalon Leatherboard). The façade of the surviving building was built between 1891 and 1906 by William Reynolds, architect for C & J Clark." Like so many buildings in the area, the material is Lias. The road on the right is simply called "Bowling Green" and leads to Street Drove.

Lawson Terrace of 1891 (off Wilfrid Road) was built by William Stephens Clark's nephew, William Reynolds – apicturesque compositions, each of up to 12 houses, in Old English cottage style. Their pantiled roofs and tall red brick chimneys contrast with walls of lias and Ham stone dressings.

A notable feature of the stone found in this land was the enormous bed of paving stone, which, but for the water which constantly hindered, could have been taken from their beds in almost any size, no natural joints cutting into small sections, as is often the case today. Another quarry in constant occupation was that of Mr Timothy Tinney, in the orchard now held by Mr W Nichols on Stone Hill, part of the beds of stone of this quarry at the end of the orchard still remain, here also a few hands from time to time found employment.

Mr James Brown, father of the late Samuel Brown, was then constantly engaged in the stone business, in the orchard on which the limekiln now stands. Near the residence of the late Mr Robert Talbot, Jnr, the large orchard owned by Mrs Boyce, on Stone Hill, was then the property of Mr Robert Talbot, Snr, here a business of considerable importance was transacted, and a goodly number of hands employed. This gentleman, as the ground was gradually quarried had the forethought to plant from time to time all the land available for orchard purposes,.

The land, where the premises, surgery, &c, of Dr Eglinton is situate was then in possession of Mr John Crees, from this quarry paving stones were constantly raised which for quality held their own in the market wherever sent. Another prominent character in our village life at this time was John Trout, sculptor and quarry owner, the premises held and owned by him, from which all stone was taken for the above named purposes, is situate by the side of the orchard before mentioned, the property of Mrs Boyce. The pedestrian as he passes the house and premises now occupied by Mr Edward Rogers has only to lift his eyes to the top of the building, and there crumbling under the effects of the elements will be seen the tablet descriptive of the business of the said John Trout.

It seems that Street was very well served by Butchers’ shops and tailors!

The shops in the village at this early date were small and unattractive, and hidden in unlikely places. Even at this early date, they existed from one end of the parish to the other. At West End near to Ford Stream in premises now owned by Mr Joseph Cox, then stood Mr Stephen Stowards’s grocery store. This shop was eventually converted into a dwelling house, the shop window being partly filled with masonry to this end. The next grocery store as you pass from Ford Stream through Street was situate at or near the yard called Stacey’s Yard, the premises now occupied by Mrs Wingrove, but then by Thomas Cousins. The business transacted was of course on a small scale, but small as it was, it was a convenience to those living near; this business as far as I know has been continued, the same passing from to hand as the years passed. The next grocery store stood on the site where now stands the house of Mr George Cain, Jnr., here lived Ebenezer Creese, near the grocery store kept and owned by Mr Norman. Opposite Goswell Terrace and near the Lockhill Shoe Works, there lived Miss Edith Perry, grocer; this lady, later in life, married Mr Solomon Hilliard, the business was then carried on on the other side of the road, where premises were held and owned by the said Mr Thomas Hilliard, on the site where now stands the shop of Mr Chalker, draper. No other shop of any importance at this early time existed through the main street, this side the Friends’ Meeting House: just beyond that lived James Perkins, in premises since converted into a jeweller’s shop, where he kept a store, general in its character, grocery, clothes,, meal and corn. Below the shop of Mr Perkins, near the Cross, stood the shop of Mrs Edwards (where a business of still greater magnitude, was carried on, the wants of all customers being met, from the smallest article required to the finest and best productions the millinery skill of the time could provide. These premises are now occupied by Mr Peddle, confectioner, &c. Opposite this big store lived a Mr Hammett, who kept a small grocery store in the premises now occupied by Mr James Hawkins, and notwithstanding the attraction offered by the big store opposite, he obtained and held a share of the public patronage.

The butchers’ shops of Street at this early date, were in the nature of things small, and the much belated sic pig was in constant request, this being the principal meat consumed by the working classes, many of them fattening from time to time a pig or pigs as the case may be, the butcher sometimes taking the whole number as required for weekly consumption. One of the notable butchers in the place at this time was Charles King, who lived at Overleigh, and transacted his business in the end house, near the Mission Hall, the working man’s joint being usually an eye-piece, a chop, pigs’ feet, or the lesser and cheaper joints, left when customers of the better class had been supplied. Another prominent butcher was George Vowles, who occupied premises near Park Close, here meat of the best quality could be obtained, beef, mutton, pork, and veal, as the circumstances of the times provided. The slaughter house of the above premises still stands, and from observation, opinions may be formed of the ready adaptations (rough and ready as it doubtless then was), to the requirements of customers. The wife of the said George Vowles was in constant attendance with the butcher’s cart, going from place to place, through the villages weekly, probably to her vigilance and business tact may be attributed the success which attended the business. Another butchering business was that of John Vincent, who lived in a thatched house, on the site where now stands the Co-operative Store. Here at this time existed an orchard which eventually was sold out for building purposes. On this land now stands not only the Co-operative Store, but many of the houses adjoining, also the rank of villas and semi-detached villas up the left hand side of Vestry Lane. This thatched cottage where the said John Vincent lived, served the part of a butcher’s shop, the meat sold consisted chiefly of pork, fresh, salt or picked, was the weekly supply. Later I life, mutton of excellent quality was supplied, but beef seldom found its way in very large quantities to this store. The principal butcher in Street was Mr Frank Kewer, his business was conducted on the premises which later became the baking and confectionery premises of the late Joseph Petvin, and are now in the occupation of Mr A N Browning, baker, &c, here a business first-class in its character was carried on, meat of the finest quality was procured, and the custom of the better class secured. Later Mr George Seymour commenced business in premises opposite, or nearly opposite the Baptist Church, and notwithstanding the opposition of resident butchers, the business became established, and for a number of year his cart could be seen going weekly through the village, where calls were made and customer secured and served.

The tailors of Street of the time of which I write were few, and their characteristics for skill and fashion remarkable. Tailor Payne as he was called, lived in East Lane or Somerton Road; of his style and fashion I have distinct recollection, especially that pertaining to single articles made to so-called measurement and style required. The material was of the coarsest kind, fustian, corduroy, etc., while the two principal facts known when the garments were procured were that the body was covered, and being thus covered, the front of the garment was readily distinguished from the back. James Perkins, before mentioned in connection with the general store, also served the public in the capacity of tailor. The tape, rule, scissors &c., were in constant use, and here attempts were made to construct garments to any requirements, the skill adapting itself to the fashion required according to the taste of customer. But the most fashionable tailor probably in the place was Adam Westlake, who lived and carried on business in the premises which then stood near the Street Council School; these premises were occupied by the late John Hawkins, and were eventually sold to the Local Educational Committee for extension of the said Council School, part of which now occupies the site on which the house formerly stood. The late William Westlake, after the death of his father continued the business for many years. The children of the said Adam Westlake, as far as memory serves me, consisted of the aforementioned son, W Westlake, and three daughters, of whom it was often said: “A Sweet, an Allen, a Blake, married three daughters of Adam Westlake.

This was Queenie Edwards, whose photo album of the era is in my possession)

The business life of to-day with its intensity and rush, contrasts strangely with that of the early history of this place. Peck Mill, now occupied by Mr John Jeanes and his mother, was then the possession of Mr James Barnett, the mill was in constant use and a good business was done even at this early date; a two-horse dray, a waggon, and a horse and cart, were constantly on the road delivering goods. The horses and waggon were the charge of John Vowles, whilst Robert Vowles’ task was that of attending the horse and cart for customers resident near the mill. This mill during the winter months was often worked by the water supply which at the time was carefully reserved, two ponds being provided for the purpose the one supplying the other as circumstances necessitated. When the water supply became exhausted the steam engine was employed, this too often during the summer months, especially in time of drought. Much of the corn ground in this mill was grown by the said James Barnett, he having land all around the district on which excellent crops were grown. The engine driver and miller was the late Mr James Miles, whose mechanical skill doubtless made the milling business so successful. Even at this early date there appeared indications of the rush and intensity of the life we now live. Evidence of this may be found in the following narrative; The late James Clark, Esq., calling on the writer at this time, stated the fact of the said James Barnett, having cut wheat, thrashed same with flail, winnowed, ground into flour, and made into bread the same day. This, of course was done partly for the sake of doing it and to demonstrate the fact that such could be done. At this mill, a corn trade of considerable magnitude is still carried on, the said corn being conveyed by rail from the various corn centres. The premises are the property of Mr Roger Clark.

The boot and shoe works to which Street owes so much to-day, at the time of which I write, were truly in “the day of small things,” and as one views the manufacturing life of the district; which develops year after year, and remembers the small beginning of this huge interest, one stands bewildered to see the number of operatives employed; and this astonishment increases if during the dinner hour one can watch them leave the works for dinner; it seems almost incredible that so many could be accommodated within the walls of the factory. The business was founded by the late Cyrus and James Clark, and the writer remember when a lad visiting the works, and to the best of his recollection, only six men were employed in the cutting department, and one of these was the late Mr Aubrey Clark. The manufactured goods at this time were conveyed by waggon to Bridgwater and other centres.

The railways were being constructed soon after the establishment of this business. Some Street men were constantly employed thereat. One Street man, named John Barnes was killed in Box Tunnel. He left six sons, the father of the late Joseph Barnes, of Walton Farm, being one of them. The following men from Street were in constant employment at Bath Bridge: Cornelius Pursey, Christopher Bacon, Joseph Bartlett, George Tinney, and Thomas Hawkins, now living in the Mead, and several others whose names are forgotten.

Remembering the early conditions of life at Messrs Clark’s factory many names lost to the place rush into the mind. These were conspicuous as they acted in the capacity of foreman or manager of the varied departments. The most notable to the writer was that of Mr Dodge, who during his day of service appeared to be largely the source from which vitality was drawn, he possessing not only business capacity, but being himself the very sole of honour. After his decease, Robert Lugg figured prominently in his stead in the capacity of foreman. Other men whose personality was attractive, though working as subordinates, by their rigid adherence to business life contributed in no small degree to the building up of the firm. Amongst these may be named the following: James Marsh who lived the whole of his life in Glastonbury and notwithstanding this fact was never late at his work. This man worked at clicking the greater part if not the whole of his term of service. Samuel Andrews worked in the ‘ruff stuff’ department, and there continued his service till the time of his death, At the time of which I write the rug business was carried on at the same premises at this business, John Clough, an experienced dyer, laboured for many years. On his retiring, the post of dyer, etc., was filled by George Bailey, and later by his son, John Baily.

Dear Friends of Street Library

Here are some more recollections of life in Street in the nineteenth century. How lucky we are that William Pursey recorded hisReminiscences.

1. Clark Son & Morland

This business, like that of the shoe industry, so developed, that many years ago the premises of Mr Jacobs at Northover, Glastonbury, then used for fell-mongering purposes, were acquired; here to-day goods are manufactured, giving employment to a great number of hands, under the name of Clark, Son & Morland. Long may the business continue to prosper Another notable personality of the early years of factory life was that of Mr Joseph Penny. This gentleman worked in the counting house, served in the capacity of cashier, private secretary, &c.. and was respected and beloved by all who came in touch and contact with him.

The boot and shoe industry of Street to-day may truly be said to be the staple source of supply either direct or indirect. All residents within a radius of many miles are dependent, more or less upon it. Strange as it may appear to the reader, while the shoe industry has advanced by leaps and bounds, the staple industry of the early date has declined, nothing but the premises to-day remaining, giving evidence of the magnitude of the business there done. These are the premises known as the Tanyard at the time of which I write, dates of which it is impossible for me to give, memory failing me in this respect; these premises were held, owned and used for tanning purposes by Mr Arthur Clothier. Here a good business was done, the process of tanning being that of bark. About one hundred hands were constantly employed; one of them, the late Edwin Marsh, worked there for upwards of forty years. This fact speaks for itself, and gives evidence of the good feeling existing between master and man. At the decease of the late Mr Arthur Clothier, the business was continued by his son, Mr Columbus Clothier, but the introduction of free trade and the fact that chemical processes of tanning eventually took over the place of bark, led apparently to the decline of the business. The writer has pleasant remembrances of the late Mr Columbus Clothier; no sooner had he made his acquaintance than acts of kindness on his part were frequent, spontaneous and helpful: the one thing remembered above others was the kind and helpful word of cheer always in reserve for the varied depressing circumstances of life; these linger in the memory to-day as though they were but a thing of yesterday.

2. Robert Impey – Seed manure and implement business

Another business in Street at this early date was that of Mr Robert Impey, Portway. Here a seed, manure and implement business of no mean order was transacted, giving employment toa great number of hands; the seed sold being principally grown on the farm. At the decease of the said gentleman the business was continued for a length of time by his daughters, E & C Impey, and eventually was transferred to the manager, Mr R Candy, who to-day works it, supplying seed, implements. etc., to customers covering a very wide area.

REMINISCENCES OF LIFE in the Parish of Street Somersetshire – From the year 1844 (W Pursey)

About 50 years ago it was a custom in country districts to wassail the apple tree, this was usually the occasion for a free and easy, and sometimes a drunken scene. Distinctly the writer remembers when working on the railway at the erection of Steam Bow Bridge with others, among whom was the leader or bandmaster of Polden Hills Band. A farmer then living at Pennard on hearing of this musician’s presence, sent a lad to the line requesting him to come to his house with as many of the number working as chose to go. Hearing of this invitation, up we all went to this wassailing ceremony, in which we were all heartily engaged. After we had drunk the cider, so readily and freely provided by the farmer, whose invitation we had accepted, we became as may naturally be supposed merry and gay, and distinctly as but a thing of yesterday the doggerel rhyme runs through the mind while writing –

Apple tree, apple tree, we all come to wassail thee,

Bear this year and next year to bloom and to blow,

Hat fulls, cap fulls, three cornered sack fulls,

Hip, hip, hip, hurrah,

Holler boys, holler hurrah

The weather on this occasion being wet and unfavourable, instead of going to the orchard as was customary to christen a certain tree or trees, a tree was selected on the lawn, which was not of the apple family, but probably a cypress, or yew ree, Notwithstanding in our animated condition it took the place of the apple tree, and we christened it accordingly.

The Farming Interest

The parish of Walton at this time of which I write, and for many years previous, presented an aspect of life, giving evidence of a growing population, which from that time to the present has gradually declined, the house property diminishing in value as the years passed. Within the last 50 years property to the value, probably of thousands of pounds, has been razed to the ground in consequence of dilapidation, the issue of wear and tear, caused largely by the neglect of the owners. Hence as property became destroyed thus, the population gradually decreased, and while the population of Walton was thus decreasing, that of Street as has already been stated increased year by year, as the manufacturing interest developed.

The notable farmers of the day in Walton were as follows: Farmer Henry Dyer, who lived at Asney the greater part of his business life, William Bird, farming at Walton now, George Crossman, Mr Hurman, who for many years lived at Walton Farm, John Giles who then lived at the Big Farm at the bottom of South Street, a Mr Lovell (commonly called Captain Lovell), Thomas Wheeler, who eventually went to Canada with his family, Joseph Crossman, who farmed at Huckham, Stephen Down, who lived under Walton Hill, John Porter then living at Landshard, All the above were practical farmers giving employment from time to time to a goodly number of hands.

Central Somerset Gazette

Looking Back Feature – October 2, 2014

BATMAN BRINGS DOWN CINEMA’S FINAL CURTAIN –

The doors of the 68 year old Maxime Cinema were closed for the last time in 1989 after the final performance of the smash-hit film ‘Batman’.

After almost 26 years of opening the doors, selling tickets and popcorn, and keeping order in the auditorium, manager, Christina Earner, had to hang up her flashlight.

The cinema was full to capacity on the final night with 60 invited guests and many of the regular film goers turning up to enjoy the last film at the much loved Maxime.

Before the start of the film, Mrs Earner presented John Hecks, the grandson of the founder and joint owner of the Maxime, with the original licence granted by Glastonbury Town Council in January 1921.

The original name was the Playhouse Cinema, which was later changed to the Maxime Cinema – the only red-brick building in Leigh Road. It was known as Beer and Bones because it was built by Mr Hecks, landlord of the Street Inn, and Mr Voake – a local butcher. Youngsters went to special Saturday morning shows where they would see a film followed by a serial – in the 1940s and 1950s there would be plenty of Laurel and Hardy and Roy Rogers and Trigger.

The first chocolate boy, Bob Crocker and the first chief projectionist to operate sound movies, George Griffin, were both in the auditorium for the final screening.

Mr Griffin started working on the stage at the Maxime as a hobby after becoming chief projectionist when King of the Khyber Rifles the first talking film at the Maxime was shown in 1933.

After Batman the audience were entertained by Flyx , a band who 12 years earlier started out by practicing in the Maxime every Sunday morning.

For Mrs Earner, the closure of the cinema was the end of an era. After the end of the evening she said “I have mixed feelings but I am definitely sad because it is a landmark in Street which is going. It is the end of an era, the end of a cinema which has been here since 1921.” The Maxime cinema was the Friday night venue for both Street’s youngsters and for pupils from Millfield School, including the children of many celebrities. On one occasion a group of bodyguards surrounding the daughter of the former King Farouk of Egypt arrived and Mrs Earner also remembers Tony Blackburn being in the auditorium when he was a student at Millfield.

Many Street youngsters who are now adults with children of their own, have fond memories of Mrs Earner’s tenure at the cinema. If she detected any unruly behaviour in the auditorium, she would stop the film, walk out onto the stage and delivery a stern warning to the cinema goers. On one occasion a group of Street youngsters was hosting French exchange students from Gravenchon. The film was the ever-popular ‘Ghost Busters’. When the immortal words were spoken on-screen ‘WHO’RE YOU GONNA CALL?” the answering cry came from the audience “GHOST BUSTERS!” The film abruptly stopped, The audience groaned, Mrs Earner appeared on stage to deliver her lecture and the French guests were caught between mystification and mirth.

After its closure, the Maxime Cinema became the night-club NV, popularly known as Envy. Envy has more recently been refurbished and to become Pillars Bar and Grill.

WALTON

The Walton of to-day, contrasted with that of 60 years ago, gives evidence of decay as regards its business life. At that time two smithies existed, the master man in each finding enough work to maintain his home, but to-day it is doubtful whether full employment for one smith is found. The two smiths were Charles Toby, who then occupied the shop in the middle of the parish, lately converted into a stable, and Thomas White, who occupied premises near the Church, long since pulled down. The only professional wheelwright at Walton at that time was Henry Hucker, who then lived near Walton turnpike gate, here for a great number of years a good business was done.

The tailor of the village was Charles Bacon, who as a rule was on friendly terms with the majority. The butcher of the village was John Voake, then living near the church, his daughter still occupies the premises where for the greater part of his life his business was transacted. The boot maker was William Browning, who at that time appeared to live in touch with the varied classes and conditions of character that frequently visited him for goods new or newly repaired.

Three public houses existed at Walton 60 years ago, one on Quarry Batch where for so many years the late Thos. Webb lived, here Uriah Frampton lived, a licence was granted and beer, ale, porter, and cider was sold. The public now known as the ‘Royal Oak’ for generations has been in the possession of the Bird family. To-day the ‘Royal Oak’ and the ‘Globe’ Inn alone exist, the licence for the house on the Batch many years ago being withheld, so that to-day two public houses only exist, where formerly there were three.

The rector then living at Walton was Lord John Thynne, who had two curates, Messrs Meade and Merriman, labouring alternately at Street and Walton, the two livings then being combined. Rector and curates together with Lady Thynne took a great interest in the day school, the writer well remembers his four years’ schooling, walking every morning with others from Street to Walton, and the interest manifested by Lady Thynne in scholars whether young or old was the distinguishing feature of the school life of that day, her labours and interest in the welfare of the inhabitants of Walton and district being exemplary. This interest was most manifest in her special regard for girls bordering on womanhood, her labour and care being unbounded, taking them to her own home, no effort was spared in training them for spheres of usefulness. The following were among the number then trained, Caroline Crossman, daughter of George Crossman, Grace King, daughter of Farmer King, Jane Stock, Anne Bobbett, now living at Street, these with many others were thus favoured and made the recipients of her care.

Mr Merriman, afterwards bishop of Grahamstowwnm a name still fragrant to those who remember his genial and kindly disposed nature, though curate as stated, became desirous of learning how to make boots and shoes, and notwithstanding the busy life lived found time to do so. Esau Whitnell, a boot or shoe maker taking work from the factory, readily accepted the offer of his services, when spare time could be found in which to sit on the seat and learn the secrets of the art of St Crispin. This much beloved and respected man eventually left the distgrict for South Africa, and afterwards became the bishop of Grahamstown, and never probably in the history of the village was the departure of am inhabitant ore mourned and regretted.

Lord John Thynne born in 1798, the third son of Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath / he died in1881

He was educated at Eton College and St John's College, Cambridge, and was ordained by John Fisher, Bishop of Salisbury, in 1822. His first post was as curate of Corsley, a parish on his father's estate of Longleat. Next he served as Rector of Backwell, Street with Walton, and Kingston Deverill, all in Somerset and Wiltshire. In 1828 he was appointed a canon and subdean of Lincoln Cathedral, then became a Canon of Westminster Abbey in 1831. He became sub-dean of Westminster in 1835, later declining the deaneries of Westminster, Wells and Windsor. He lived at Ashburnham House near Westminster Abbey and assisted at the coronation of King William IV and Queen Adelaide, and later at that of Queen Victoria.

He married Anna Constantia Beresford, a daughter of Rev. Charles Cobbe Beresford.

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Nathaniel James Merriman (4 April 1809 – 15 August 1882 was the third Bishop of Grahamstown from 1871 until his deathHe was educated at Winchester College and Brasenose College, Oxford; and ordained in 1833. He was curate then Vicar of Street, Somerset until he emigrated to South Africa. He rose to become Archdeacon of Grahamstown then Dean of Cape Town before being elevated the Episcopate.

Family - His son, John X. Merriman, was the last prime minister of the Cape Colony before the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910. Frederick Merriman, the New Zealand politician was Nathaniel's brother. He died on 15 August 1882 by being thrown from his carriage "with great violence"[8]

This is the report of a talk given by the knowledgeable Alan Cotton, who has been researching the Postal History of Glastonbury and Street and surrounding villages for over 30 years.

The first letter Alan screened was dated 1773 sent from Glastonbury to Kingweston. Couriers and other means of taking the post were also used. If you wanted to send a letter from Glastonbury to Bridgwater it cost 3d which was expensive at the time. It was in the 1790s that uniformed postmen first hit the street before which time you would have had to collect your letters from the post office. Other letters were displayed including one of 1845 from a John Clark, postmarked Glastonbury, costing 8d, and marked 5 pm, 4 April.

On 10 January 1840, the Uniform Penny Post was established throughout the UK, facilitating the safe, speedy and cheap conveyance of letters, and from 6 May that year could be prepaid with the first postage stamp, known as the Penny Black.

The Two Penny Blue or The Two Pence Blue was the world’s second official postage stamp, issued after the Penny Black. It was issued in the UK and Ireland and was first sold to the public in 1840. Except for its denomination, the design is exactly the same as the 1d black and was struck from the same die. It was intended that the 2d blue be issued at the same time as the 1d black; the earliest postmark seen on one of these is a few months later on 6 May 1840. Copies of the stamp are now much rarer and more valuable than the Penny Black.

Postage was paid by the addressee, the cost being based on the number of sheets in each letter, the distance it traveled and the method of transport used. The Post Office was therefore at risk of not being paid, having provided the service, should the addressee refuse to accept delivery. Certain types of mail had to be carried free, such as newspapers, and most mail from members of both Houses of Parliament. Members of both Houses abused their privilege by autographing letters for their constituents and others. We heard how this was the practice of the local MP, Lord Glastonbury who lived at Butleigh.

At the same time as stamps came into use, pre-stamped postal stationery was also introduced. Previously the use of envelopes had been discouraged because they cost more to send. The original envelope design was soon replaced by one with an embossed medallion head of a young Queen Victoria. In 1854, the perforation of stamps replaced sheets from which stamps had had to be cut individually with scissors. The penny red-brown previously imperforate, continued in use until 1880, when a new design was issued. This only lasted about 18 months, however, before being superseded by the Penny Lilac which remained on sale until 1902. More of these were probably issued than any other stamp in the world. Billions of them were printed and the stamp is still very common today.

Later when the colours of the stamps were being revised, the inks chosen were red-brown for the penny value and a new blue ink for the two pence value. As the printed stamps in the new ink looked the same as the original issue, it was decided to add a horizontal line at the top and bottom of the label so as the newer printings could be easily identified. These are generally referred to as the white lines added issue and are more common than the original 1840 printing. Sadly the more recent innovation of printed labels instead of stamps has taken some of the charm away from the stamp-collecting so many of us used to enjoy.

The Penny Black allowed a letter weighing up to half an ounce to be sent anywhere within Britain; the 2d Blue's weight limit was a full ounce, but it proved less popular. To illustrate the 2d Blue, a slide of a letter sent from Stowe House in Butleigh was shown. As the talk progressed there were murmurs of surprise and appreciation from the audience as slides were shown of items of mail addressed to their forebears or to people whose names they recognized as belonging to families with a long pedigree in Street and Glastonbury.

The coming of the railways had a major impact on postal services with the first mail train from Liverpool to Manchester in 1830. If a letter was described as a parcel it could be sent by train but the cost of the postage was double, but it had the advantage of speed. Business mail could be sent at half the price if the envelope was unsealed, thus was born the concept of second-class mail.

The telegraph service appeared in 1870 and was the quickest way to send urgent news and in the mid-19th century it originally cost one shilling, which later reduced to 6d. In these days of instant electronic mail, the time taken to send and receive a telegram now seems agonizingly slow. Another postal innovation was the postcard around 1870. Postcards without images were issued by the Post Office, and were printed with a stamp as part of the design, which was included in the price of purchase. The earliest known post office in Glastonbury was at the bottom of the High Street, and later it moved further up the High Street, whereas in Street it was Templemans, close to what is now the entrance to Clarks Village. The Post Office in Street has undergone several metamorphoses, it crossed the road and was for many years, opposite to the Clarks Village entrance which is now a BetFred emporium. More recently postal services became available at McColls, at the west end of Street as well as in W H Smith in the High Street. Other post offices, post boxes and our beloved red telephone boxes have gradually disappeared and the audience was charmed by slides of post offices they had known and the many well- remembered characters who served the community from behind the counter.

Our post offices provided and in some cases still provide so many indispensable services. Most of us, if we rummaged through a drawer, would find a post office savings book – remember how all the entries used to be stamped? Mothers would collect the ‘Family Allowance” over the counter and senior citizens their pensions,. Gun licences, savings stamps for gas, electricity, radio and TV licences, road fund licence, premium bonds, passports, national insurance stamps, dog licences. If there was a government edict, you could be sure the post office would have the necessary form for you to complete and a queue for you to join! You rarely go into a post office without meeting someone you know.

Street welcomed and sheltered Belgian Refugees during the First World War and below are some details :

Street Urban District Council set up a Street Belgian Committee. Money was raised from a variety of sources, including

- ‘Mr Wade’s Barrel Organ collection’

- The Adult School organised Weekly collections

- The Scouts and the Adult School collected Waste paper

- There were collections in the factory

- Glastonbury Flower Girls

- Wookey Male Voice Choir raised money with a concert

- There was a production of ‘Coming of the Bride’ organised by Miss Alice Buckton

- Band entertainments

- In 1916 there was a Christmas collection among the churches for Belgian children.

Refugees whose names survive are:

Mme Muys and her grandson Jules

J Plaskie

Jansens

Dewaelheyns Lanoye (or Lannoye) de Baecke

The names of G Hannam and F Voakes are associated with the Belgian refugees. Possibly they rented homes to the refugees. We have heard of Mr Voake previously as the local butcher and part-owner of the cinema

Roger Clark received a medal from the Belgian King and a congratulatory letter from Lloyd George to the Local Government Board. On the front of the envelope Roger Clark wrote :

‘ While this decoration was bestowed on RC as chairman and treasurer of the Belgian Committee (Refugees) of Street, it should really have been given to Dr Ann E Clark who was secretary, or shared among the committee – for they did much the most of the work.’

A letter on behalf of the Belgian Ambassador accompanied a certificate dated 10 January 1920. This identifies the honour as the Palmes en Or de l’Ordre de la Couronne which was bestowed ‘in recognition of the valuable services which you rendered to the Belgian Cause during the war’.

The ‘Clarks Courier’ of 18 November 1980 carried a story about one of the refugees, Roger de Baecke who died at that time. The article states that he ‘came with the wave of refugees fleeing before the German invasion of Belgium in August 1914 . Although not of school leaving age and speaking no English, Roger started work with a Walton farmer whose cattle he used to walk to Bridgwater market. Later, when his family moved to Street he began work on motor cars with Frank Clark’.

The Glastonbury Canal

Taken from the book by Geoffrey Body and Roy Gallop

After the dissolution of Glastonbury Abbey the main business of the town was in wool and cloth (and in the late eighteenth century a brief boom as a spa town), but with the coming of the industrial revolution much of this business went to towns in the north, so Glastonbury went into decline with a small trade in worsted stockings made by individuals.

Severe flooding of the Brue valley in 1794 led to the 1801 Brue Drainage Act which gave the river several new channels, in particular the North and South Drains and a straight section at Highbridge. There were at the time a number of schemes for ship canals to avoid the long voyage from the English Channel round to the Bristol Channel. One of these was the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal which greatly improved traffic from Huntworth to Taunton by 1827.

On the Levels, despite the improvements to the Brue, there was still a problem with annual flooding as the peat was hard to drain, with silt running into the waterways. Two brothers who were Glastonbury solicitors, Richard and Samuel Prat, together with other like-minded people, held meetings to debate the idea of a canal from Glastonbury to Highbridge which would ideally solve both the flooding and trade problems. By 1825 there was a firm plan and the following year Richard Hammett of Street was commissioned to start a survey.

Hammett decided not to use the Brue itself but drew up plans which included the using part of the South Drain. The prospectus envisaged Glastonbury becoming a hub for trade through Highbridge to and from south Wales and the industrial Midlands.

Building materials coming into Glastonbury would include deals (softwood boards), iron, slate, tiles and bricks. Other goods included salt, hides, bark, groceries, Birmingham and Sheffield articles, hoops, hurdles, staves, wheat, coal … in return Glastonbury would export stone for building and paving, elm and oak timber, beans, barley and malt, cider and cheese. Local villages along the Poldens would enjoy shorter, quicker journeys for their manure and peat.

The total length would be fourteen miles, one furlong and seven chains and would use the South Drain for part of the route.

The following rates were envisaged:

TONNAGE RATES Coal, Coke, Cinders, Charcoal. Timber, Iron, Bricks, Tiles, Stone, Slate, 1s 6d per ton Turf and Manure Cheese, Timber, and other Goods, Wares and Merchandize 3s 0d per ton And so in Proportion for any greater or less Weight than a Ton

Richard Hammet optimistically thought the construction costs would be around £9,000 but by the time the appropriate Act was passed in 1827 the cost had already doubled to £18,000. However there was still local enthusiasm. The Glastonbury Navigation and Canal Company was ready to buy land and start work. There were, however, many problems both structural and financial.

It was a period of unrest generally. In 1830 there was a second revolution in France and a growing demand for reform in England. The inspector sent to Highbridge to check on the work in February 1831 found that the contractor had run away! By December that year there was a severe shortage of money, investors now having second thoughts about the soaring costs and it’s possible that the necessary economies may have affected the standard of the works, especially the clay lining of the waterway.

The canal was finally finished and a grand opening took place on 15 August 1833. A waterborne cavalcade was towed from Glastonbury to Highbridge and back by teams of sailors.

A second celebration took place nine days later for ‘the respectable trading classes’!

What happened to the canal?

At first it was quite successful. There was an increase in local building in Glastonbury and imported goods were much cheaper than those brought by road. The Rev’d. W. Phelps, vicar of Meare and a celebrated antiquarian, wrote in 1836 that flooding was much less of a problem now that the locks and sluices could direct the water. However the canal never made enough money to offset the investment and in 1840 came serious problems. The Prat brothers had been putting more money into the scheme and it is highly likely that some of this came from money placed with their legal firm for investment. In January 1840 they disappeared, leaving a financial shortfall of£40-50,000!* They were declared bankrupt and their effects were sold off. Another investor committed suicide by leaping from the tower of St John’s.

The canal company struggled on. One problem, despite the optimism of the Rev’d. Phelps, was that the draining was not good between Shapwick Lock and Glastonbury and retained rainfall caused the peat to swell so that the whole surface lifted several feet. This caused the bottom of the canal to rise and fracture where the clay lining was inadequate. Water seeped out and larger boats could no longer uses the canal.

The railway network was now growing across the country and in 1847 a deal between the Bristol and Exeter Railway and the canal company was struck. An Act was passed in June 1848 selling the canal to the railway company. The luckless investors received a total of £7,372, less than half their original outlay.

It took till 1851 to wind up the company. C and J Clark were expanding their footwear business in Street by then and could see the advantage of a railway line. In 1853, twenty years after the canal had been opened, work began on laying a railway line along the route of the canal. Eventually that too became redundant and closed in 1972.

* And what about the Prats? They went to Canada!

* * * * *

The route of both canal and railway between Westhay and Meare is part of the delightful Avalon Marshes nature reserve – which also covers the Sweet Track, the two km long wooden trackway constructed in 3806 BC at the beginning of the Neolithic period. Three attempts by man to improve travel, trade and communication.

If you don’t know this area I really recommend a visit when we’re allowed out! Park for free at the Visitors Centre on the road from Westhay to Shapwick. It now has a number of replica buildings - Roman dining room, Saxon hall etc. as well as a café and show-room for local artists. You can leave the car there, walk a few hundred yards towards Shapwick and enter Shapwick Heath on the left. There are good explanatory boards and a few places to sit. It’s completely flat of course along the former railway line and canal. But you can turn off right onto another path which is more challenging through the wooded area and eventually you come to another path. Turn right again to get to the Hide and you will pass a replica Sweet Track that you can venture onto. Not for the faint-hearted!